In intraday trading, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTI) shares jumped 87.90% to $2.19, driven by the news of a major cooperative deal with NASA.
Strategic Announcement
With assistance from the NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), Ascent Solar (ASTI) announced the start of work under a Collaborative Agreement Notice (CAN) with NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The goal of this collaboration is to use copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) photovoltaic (PV) modules to increase the capacity of receiving beamed electricity.
Technology Development for Space Power Infrastructure
The goal of the CAN effort is to expedite the development of commercial technology, particularly in the field of beamed power, to assist upcoming space missions. NASA will supply technical know-how and thorough testing, while Ascent Solar will offer design and prototype development.
The partnership aims to reduce the cost, weight, and operational risk of conventional spacecraft power systems by delivering commercial-ready alternatives for distributed power in orbit during a 12-month timeframe.
NASA Psyche Mission and Early Validation
The viability of narrow-beam technology was confirmed by NASA’s 2023 Psyche Mission by successfully demonstrating deep space laser communications across a distance of 19 million miles. Building on that, NASA MSFC conducted bench tests in 2024 that verified Ascent’s commercial off-the-shelf PV products could effectively receive beamed power—setting the stage for this formal collaboration.
Reducing Downmass for Planetary Missions
Space exploration missions, particularly those targeting the Moon and beyond, are constrained by the heavy power generation systems required for surface mobility and operations.
Ascent’s lightweight, thin-film solar technology could significantly reduce this “downmass,” with potential cost savings reaching millions of dollars per lander mission. The CAN’s technical goals include enhancing power output and ensuring durability through lunar nights and in permanently shadowed regions believed to contain water ice.
Future Prospects for Lunar Facilities
This public-private partnership is expected to support NASA in meeting its broader goals under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), prospective planetary missions, and the Artemis lunar campaign. It also backs international efforts under the Artemis Accords to construct scalable, sustainable infrastructure on the Moon.
Thus, Ascent Solar’s (ASTI) advancements in thin-film PV technology in providing effectiveness, endurance, and affordability in challenging environments may be extremely advantageous for future missions.
